Desne Dodkin (1927-2015) Desne Dodkin, the former Veloce employee and wife of well-known Velocette dealer Geoff, passed away on September 16. Born in Birmingham in 1927, Desne started work in the general office at the Velocette factory around 1947, later becoming secretary to Percy, Eugene, Peter and Bertie Goodman. At one time she was running the general office as well. It was at Velocette that Desne met Geoff, who’d travel to the factory from his Velocette dealership in East Sheen. After the Velo factory closed in 1971, Desne, with service manager Bill Sewell, went to work for Matt Holder, who had bought the Velocette name and spares. In 1972, Desne and Geoff married and she moved down to East Sheen to help him run his
shop. Geoff and Desne ran the business together for 20 years until 1992, before 23 years of happy retirement in the village
they’d moved to near Evesham, with Desne looking after the garden, the house and Geoff. Richard Adams
Featuring 40 motorcycle specials from TT racers through to twin engine sprint bikes, sketched at various events and locations over the last 12 months, Martin Squires’ new Sketchbook is available now. Martin has been continually drawn to unusual motorcycles, especially racing and sprinting
machines, due to their builtfor-purpose aesthetics. Some of the motorcycles in his new collection include a 1935 Velocette KTT MkV, a 1912 Rudge racer, a Hartley Ariel, Brian Chapman’s Mighty Mouse and Super Mouse, an AJS V-twin record breaker and a 1928 Rudge Dirt Track Special.
The book’s dimensions are 21cm x 14cm and each is signed and numbered as an edition of 100. The cost is £10 (+£3 p&p) and it is available from the shop section of www.sketchbooktravels.com or by contacting Martin on 07973915139. He also takes private commissions.
Desne and Geoff Dodkin pose with Dennis Frost’s Mk.1 KTT Velocette (Dennis Frost).
Bonhams French sale For the very first time, the world-renowned MC Collection Motorcycle Museum will offer 18 of its highly desirable collectors’ motorcycles at auction. The Italian machines will be sold by Bonhams at the Grand Palais Sale, taking place on February 4, 2016 in Paris, France. The Stockholm-based museum was founded in 1999 by enthusiast Christer R Christensson, who, together with motorcycle historian Ove Johansson, assembled a world-class collection of motorcycle masterpieces. “This is the first time the museum has offered any of its collection at auction,” said Ben Walker, international director for Bonhams Collectors’ Motorcycles. “It is an exciting, early consignment to our Grand Palais Sale, including several lots at no reserve.” Highlights include a 1954 MV Agusta Disco Volante, estimated at €11,000-17,000, and a 1948 Gilera Saturno, estimated at €11,000-16,000.
Auto Retro
The 32nd Auto Retro Barcelona opening takes place on December 4-7, 2015. It will be in Hall eight of Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc Fairgrounds with around 300 exhibitors from 10 countries expected.
THE CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE | JANUARY 2016
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